Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator

Neonatal Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator

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FAQ for EMR Implementation

KP EOS Calculator: Guidance for EMR Implementation
Updated 5/6/21

Raw equations for the calculator
The raw equation for the risk prediction model is available in the supplement to the Puopolo paper.1

There was a mistake in the original publication’s supplemental section which we would like to correct here:

Sepsis risk score (SRS) = 1/(1 + e-βx)

βx = 47.8398 + (0.8680[tempimp]) - (6.9325[ga4mdlng]) + (0.0877 [ga4mdlng_sq]) + (1.2256[romimp]) - (1.0488[approptx1]) - (1.1861[approptx2]) + (0.5771[j_gbscar(+)]) + (0.0427[j_gbscar(u)])**

** J_gbscar(u) this variable was incorrectly printed in original paper as: - (0.0427[j_gbscar(u)])

Table 1: Variables for Neonatal EOS Calculator

Term Definition Coefficient, β
SRS Sepsis risk score at birth based on maternal variables or “prior probability of EOS”
tempimp Highest maternal intrapartum temperature (Value to 0.1˚F) 0.868
Romimp Transformed rupture of membranes time (ROM time in hours + 0.05)0.2 1.2256
ga4mdlng Gestational age (weeks and days) -6.9325
ga4mdlng_sq Gestational age squared (weeks and days) 0.0877
Approptx1 1 if GBS specific antibiotics are given ≥2 hours prior to deliver OR any antibiotics given 2-3.9 hours prior to delivery, otherwise 0 -1.0488
Approptx2 1 if Broad-spectrum antibiotics given ≥4 hours prior to delivery, otherwise 0 -1.1861
J_gbscar(+) 1 if GBS status is positive, otherwise 0 0.5771
J_gbscar(u) 1 if GBS status is unknown, otherwise 0 0.0427
Intercept EOS incidence 0.3/1000 Live Births 40.0528
EOS incidence 0.4/1000 Live Births 40.3415
EOS incidence 0.5/1000 Live Births 40.5656
EOS incidence 0.6/1000 Live Births 40.7489


SRS provides the raw risk of sepsis at birth based on inputted data. This risk at birth is used to determine recommendations for enhanced observation (i.e. q 4 hour vitals for 24 hours if risk at birth ≥ 1/1000).

The posterior probability of EOS (incorporating clinical presentation in the first 24 hours) or the “composite risk score” is determined once the infant’s clinical presentation has been categorized based on the following descriptions:


Table 2: Classification of Infant’s Clinical Presentation and Likelihood Ratios

Clinical Illness Likelihood ratio 21.2
  • Persistent need for NCPAP/HFNC/mechanical ventilation
  • Hemodynamic instability requiring vasoactive drugs
  • Neonatal encephalopathy / Perinatal depression
    • Seizure
    • Apgar Score @ 5 minutes < 5
  • Need for supplemental O2 > 2 hours to maintain oxygen saturations > 90%
Equivocal Likelihood ratio 5.0
  • Single persistent physiologic abnormality lasting > 4 hrs or two or more physiologic abnormalities lasting > 2 hours
    • Tachycardia (HR > 160)
    • Tachypnea (RR > 60)
    • Temperature instability (> 100.4˚F or < 97.5˚F)
    • Respiratory distress (grunting, flaring, or retracting) not requiring supplemental O2
Well Appearing Likelihood ratio 0.41
  • No persistent physiologic abnormalities


To calculate individual posterior probability for EOS risk for each infant we used Bayes’ theorem: prior odds x Likelihood Ratio (LR) = posterior odds. The probability of EOS risk at birth is converted to odds to determine the prior odds (probability = odds/ [odds+1] ). The finding of interest is the infant’s evolving clinical presentation after birth. We used the conservative LR based on the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval.

Posterior Probability of EOS (Incorporating) Clinical Presentation in the first 24 hours) EOS image formula



This score is used in the online calculator to determine culture/antibiotics recommendations. We have included a table, below, which shows the stratification of the composite risk score and the clinical recommendations:

Table 3: Stratification of Composite Risk Score and Clinical Recommendation

EOS Diagram

See below for a spreadsheet we have given people to follow our calculations. There may be slight differences in the spreadsheet and the web calculator based upon rounding at various stages. See the cited background article on choices in our implementation.2

EOS calc spreadsheet
EOS calc 2.4.xlsm



References

  1. Puopolo KM, Draper D, Wi S, et al. Estimating the probability of neonatal early-onset infection on the basis of maternal risk factors. Pediatrics 2011;128(5):e1155-63. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-3464.
  2. Kuzniewicz MW, Walsh EM, Li S, Fischer A, Escobar GJ. Development and Implementation of an Early-Onset Sepsis Calculator to Guide Antibiotic Management in Late Preterm and Term Neonates. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2016;42(5):232-9. DOI: 10.1016/s1553-7250(16)42030-1.
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